Key Takeaways
- Rate Hike: Enbridge Gas Ohio’s Standard Choice Offer (SCO) has increased to $5.187 per Mcf for January 2026, up from $4.9248 last month, driven by tightening storage and winter weather forecasts.
- Regional Divide: Despite the increase, Enbridge customers in Northeast Ohio are paying significantly less than neighbors in Central Ohio (Columbia Gas), who face rates equivalent to $7.937 per Mcf.
- Shopping Advice: The default utility rate is currently lower than the NOPEC standard rate of $5.59/Mcf, meaning customers should check their bills before auto-renewing.
- Billing Alert: Enbridge has ceased billing for HomeServe repair plans as of January 9; customers must update payment methods immediately to avoid a lapse in furnace coverage during the coming freeze.
The January Rate Shock
As Ohioans brace for the heart of winter, Enbridge Gas Ohio (formerly Dominion East Ohio) has adjusted its natural gas rates upward for the January 2026 billing cycle. The new Standard Choice Offer (SCO) is set at $5.187 per Mcf (thousand cubic feet), a noticeable bump from the December rate of $4.9248.
While this increase will impact heating bills across Northeast Ohio, it arrives amidst a broader tightening of the North American energy market. The driving force behind the hike is the wholesale price of natural gas, which settled at $4.687 on the NYMEX market for January. This base price is then adjusted by a “Retail Price Adjustment” of $0.50 to cover administrative and regulatory costs.
Why Are Rates Rising?
Two primary factors are colliding to push prices higher this month:
- The Polar Vortex Threat: Meteorologists are tracking a “Sudden Stratospheric Warming” event that is expected to disrupt the Polar Vortex in late January. Forecasts for January 19-23 indicate a high probability of “much below normal temperatures” spilling into the Ohio Valley. Energy markets price in these risks weeks in advance, driving up the cost of gas to ensure there is enough supply to meet the potential surge in heating demand.
- Storage Deficits: A colder-than-average start to winter in December forced utilities to draw down storage stockpiles faster than anticipated. With storage levels dipping, the market demands a higher price to “ration” the remaining supply through the end of the season.
Impacted Cities: A Tale of Two Regions
This rate change specifically impacts the Enbridge Gas Ohio service territory, which covers roughly 1.2 million customers in Northeast and Northwest Ohio.
Major Cities Impacted ($5.187/Mcf):
Cities NOT Impacted (Different Utility/Rate):
- Columbus & Toledo: Served primarily by Columbia Gas of Ohio, where rates have skyrocketed to $0.7937 per Ccf (roughly $7.94 per Mcf).
- Dayton: Served by CenterPoint Energy, with rates rising to roughly $7.21 per Mcf.
Residents in Northeast Ohio are actually insulated from the worst of the market volatility. Because the auction for Enbridge’s service territory cleared with a very low premium ($0.50 vs. Columbia’s $3.25), a Cleveland household could pay $50 less this month than a Columbus household for the exact same amount of gas.
Consumer Action Guide: Stick or Switch?
With the default rate rising, many consumers look to aggregation programs for relief. However, for January 2026, the standard advice has flipped.
- NOPEC: The Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) set its Standard Program Price at $5.59 per Mcf for January. This is higher than the Enbridge utility rate ($5.187). While NOPEC offers stability, staying on the standard plan this month means paying a premium.
- Private Shopping: For those willing to manage their own contracts, the competitive market offers the deepest discounts. Current “Apples to Apples” offers are available in the $4.29 to $4.48 per Mcf range. Switching to a fixed rate near $4.30 could save the average home roughly $20-$25 on a January bill compared to the default rate. Compare rates for your area.
Critical Billing Alert: HomeServe Plans
Beyond the rate per unit, customers must be aware of a major administrative change. As of January 9, 2026, Enbridge Gas Ohio has discontinued billing for third-party repair services provided by HomeServe.
Many homeowners pay for furnace or water line insurance as a line item on their gas bill. These charges have been dropped. If you subscribe to HomeServe, you must contact them directly to set up a new payment method. Failure to do so could result in a lapse of coverage right before the coldest weather of the year arrives.
Looking Ahead
Enbridge has filed a rate case with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) seeking to increase the fixed monthly “Basic Service Charge” from roughly $46.62 to $54.24. While this change will not take effect immediately, it signals a long-term trend of rising fixed costs for Ohio households, making energy efficiency and smart procurement strategies more vital than ever.
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.